Performance enhanced snowboard

ABSTRACT

A performance enhanced snowboard having an extended, generally planar deck with a nose, a tail, and a central section. The deck also has an overall length, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The nose has a widest portion that defines a nose chord line having a nose chord length. The tail has a widest portion that defines a tail chord line having a tail chord length, and the central section has a narrowest portion that defines a central chord line having a central chord length. The nose chord length is greater than the central chord length, and the nose chord length is between about fifteen and thirty-five percent of the overall length of the deck. The tail chord length is between about one percent and ten percent greater than the central chord length, while the distance between the tail chord line and the central chord line is between about forty to ninety percent of the distance between the nose chord line and the central chord line. The structure permits the invented board to function like a surfboard or skateboard while also sliding like a conventional snowboard.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to snowboards and snowboarding.

BACKGROUND ART

Snowboarding has its roots in surfing. For the typical snowboarder of today, a dual-directional board is unnecessary. To perform maneuvers similar to surfing and skateboarding, a uni-directional board with control shifted further to the back foot is optimal. When attempting to maneuver a standard snowboard the tail is a burden and takes away from the control needed to perform surf- and skate-like maneuvers. In fact the tail is a burden in many situations and when reduced or omitted is much more efficient. For example, when riding through moguls the tail of a conventional snowboard can easily catch an edge, while the performance enhanced snowboard is easily maneuverable through these same moguls. The sport of snowboarding has strayed from its roots for too long, and it is time for the performance enhanced snowboard to pick up where it left off.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The invention is directed to a performance enhanced snowboard having a shortened tail, ending just behind the back foot of the rider, which permits the rider to control and drive the performance enhanced snowboard much more with the back foot as with skateboarding or surfing. The performance enhanced snowboard is generally shorter and wider than existing snowboards and is designed to function like a surfboard or skateboard while also sliding like a conventional snowboard. The extra width keeps the performance enhanced snowboard more stable and permits the rider to float more efficiently over the surface of the snow. The performance enhanced snowboard may also have one or more control grooves or control fins to add more friction to the back of the board for additional control. The control fins may fade in along the tail lift and fade out at different points along the board rails, depending on the desired result. There may be one control fin or control groove, or there may be several. There may also be a combination of one or more control fins with one or more control grooves.

The performance enhanced snowboard is a unique snowboard design which allows the rider to perform maneuvers similar to those in surfing and skateboarding. It permits a much more stylish approach to snowboarding, which is noticeable, by way of example, on large wavelike snow banks or in the half-pipe. The rider's back foot is closer to the snow directly beneath the boot as well to the contact point for the back of the board. This causes more force and friction on the tail, which in turn allows for more grip and less sliding. Although the performance enhanced snowboard can slide on both ends, the tail end has more friction and so slides significantly less, creating a feel similar to surfing or skateboarding.

Similar to a standard snowboard, the nose and tail of the performance enhanced snowboard may be lifted or curved to allow the rider to ride both ways down the mountain. Although optimal performance is obtained by riding with the nose pointed down the mountain, the performance enhanced snowboard is versatile enough to ride tail first if desired.

Since the performance enhanced snowboard is typically shorter than a standard snowboard, the firmer or stiffer the board, the faster it will go. There can be many different variations in firmness depending on the desired result.

The performance enhanced snowboard shape is generally shorter and wider than a standard snowboard, and the difference in width is especially noticeable in the nose. As noted above, this extra area keeps the performance enhanced snowboard more stable and allows the rider to float more efficiently over the surface of the snow. There can be many small variations in the overall width, length, and general shape depending on the type of snow and the boarding conditions. For example, in powder an embodiment that is wider and longer would provide maximum float. Moreover, variations in shape can accommodate the preferences of different riders.

The performance enhanced snowboard can be constructed of any material suited for snow, although existing snowboard materials are presently preferred. The performance enhanced snowboard can range in thickness, width, and length depending on the materials and the desired firmness. Although the performance enhanced snowboard can be equally thick on both ends as with standard snowboards, thickness can be added to the tail lift to provide extra strength on the tail, which is typically exposed to more pressure from certain tricks and riding techniques.

The performance enhanced snowboard is designed to function like a surfboard or skateboard while also still sliding like the conventional snowboard. The performance enhanced snowboarder will be carving down the mountain like a skateboarder carving down a hill and able to maneuver on snow banks and half-pipes like a surfer surfing a wave. Such a “snow-surf” rider is easily distinguished from the standard snowboarder with a flow similar to surfing and skating. Unlike a traditional snowboarder, the snow-surf rider's back foot drives the turns much more than the front, allowing for a much more fluid carving movement as opposed to a more equally distributed sliding movement.

As such, the invention generally comprises a performance enhanced snowboard having an extended, generally planar deck with a nose, a tail, and a central section that connects the nose and the tail. The deck also has an overall length, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A first rail edge and a second rail edge each connect the top surface and the bottom surface. The nose has a widest portion that defines a nose chord line which has a nose chord length. The tail has a widest portion that defines a tail chord line which has a tail chord length, and the central section has a narrowest portion that defines a central chord line which has a central chord length. The nose chord length is greater than the central chord length, and the nose chord length is between about fifteen and thirty-five percent of the overall length of the deck. The tail chord length is between about one percent and ten percent greater than the central chord length, while the distance between the tail chord line and the central chord line is between about forty to ninety percent of the distance between the nose chord line and the central chord line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a performance enhanced snowboard.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the embodiment of a performance enhanced snowboard depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of a performance enhanced snowboard depicted in FIG. 1, except that no control fins or control grooves are depicted.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a version of a performance enhanced snowboard taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 1, the depicted version having control fins and control grooves.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a version of a performance enhanced snowboard having control grooves and control fins.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a version of a performance enhanced snowboard taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 1, the depicted version having control grooves and removable, L-shaped control fins.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to the figures, the invention generally comprises a performance enhanced snowboard 100 having an extended, generally planar deck 102 with a nose 104, a tail 106, and a central section 108 that connects the nose 104 and the tail 106. The deck 102 also has an overall length 110, a top surface 112, and a bottom surface 114.

The central section 108 may be flat or it may be slightly arched between the nose 104 and the tail 106, as depicted in FIG. 2. In some versions of the invention, the nose 104 and the tail 106 are each curved upward relative to the central section 108, providing a nose lift and a tail lift, respectively.

The widest portion of the nose 104 defines a nose chord line 116 which has a nose chord length. The widest portion of the tail 106 defines a tail chord line 118 which has a tail chord length, and the narrowest portion of the central section 108 defines a central chord line 120 which has a central chord length. The nose chord length corresponds to the length of the nose chord line 116, the tail chord length corresponds to the length of the tail chord line 118, and the central chord length corresponds to the length of the central chord line 120.

The nose chord length is preferably greater than the central chord length, and the nose chord length is preferably between about fifteen to thirty-five percent of the overall length 110 of the deck 102. More preferably, the nose chord length is between about fifteen and thirty-five percent greater than the central chord length, and in some versions the nose chord length is between about twenty and twenty-five percent greater than the central chord length. Most preferably, the nose chord length is about twenty-two percent greater than the central chord length. Relative to the overall length 110 of the deck 102, the nose chord length is more preferably between about twenty and twenty-five percent of the overall length 110, while the nose chord length is most preferably about twenty-three percent of the overall length 110.

Preferably, the tail chord length is between about one percent and ten percent greater than the central chord length, while the distance between the tail chord line 118 and the central chord line 120 is between about forty to ninety percent of the distance between the nose chord line 116 and the central chord line 120. More preferably, the tail chord length is between about one percent and five percent greater than the central chord length, and the distance between the tail chord line 118 and the central chord line 120 is between about sixty and eighty percent of the distance between the nose chord line 116 and the central chord line 120. Most preferably, the distance between the tail chord line 118 and the central chord line 120 is about seventy percent of the distance between the nose chord line 116 and the central chord line 120, and the tail chord length is about four percent greater than the central chord length.

It is contemplated that the overall length 110 may be between 500 and 2100 millimeters, the tail chord length may be between 150 and 350 millimeters, the nose chord length may be between 150 and 400 millimeters, and the thickness of the performance enhanced snowboard 110 may be between 5 and 50 millimeters. In an embodiment of the invention, the overall length 110 of the deck 102 is 1300 millimeters, the nose chord length is 305 millimeters, the tail chord length is 260 millimeters, and the central chord length is 249 millimeters.

Although the performance enhanced snowboard 110 can be equally thick on each end as with standard snowboards, thickness can be added to the tail 106, particularly to the tail lift portion, to provide extra strength on the tail 106, which is typically exposed to more pressure from certain tricks and riding techniques. As noted, the thickness of the may be between 5 and 50 millimeters.

A version of the performance enhanced snowboard 100 also includes means for providing friction to the bottom surface 114 of the deck 102 for additional control, which may include one or more control grooves 124 or control fins 122. A version of a control fin 122 and a control groove 124 are depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. There may be one control fin 122 or control groove 124, or there may be a plurality. There may also be a combination of one or more control fins 122 with one or more control grooves 124.

The control groove 124 may include an indented rail groove extending from the tail 106 to point along the deck 102 closer to the nose 104. The control grooves 124 can range in thickness, depth, and overall shape, depending on the desired result.

Ideally the control groove 124 will run as close as possible to the rail portion of the deck 102 to maximize tail control and bite. Refer to FIG. 5. Even so, to ensure that the rails remain strong, each control groove 124 is preferably no closer than about 1/12 inch (2.1 mm) from the rail edges 126, 128 of the deck 102. If the deck material is not strong enough to support these grooves, the width of the metal edge of the deck 102 can be extended to create a region in which the groove can be routed. Since the standard ⅛ inch metal edges only allow for small rail grooves, a version of the invention also includes a thickened base layer (e.g. P-TEX plastic) and a thickened metal edge up to a maximum thickness of about ½ inch. This metal edge may vary in width and thickness depending on the desired groove and fin sizes.

The control fins 122, or rail fins, may fade in along the tail 106 and fade out at different points along the board rails, depending on the desired result. In a version of the invention, the control fin 122 consists of a protrusion on the rail edge 126, 128, which protrudes along the outermost edge of the extended metal edge and runs along the entire length of the control groove 124, if present. Each control fin 122 preferably does not extend more than ½ inch beyond the bottom surface 114 of the deck 102. Each control fin 122 typically gradually fades in along the rail groove until the fin reaches the desired length and will also fade out as the rail groove fades out.

In another, more preferred version, the control fin 122 is a removable, L-shaped, metal control fin 122A that can be attached to the top surface 112 of the deck 102. An example of a removable control fin 122A is depicted in FIG. 6. Preferably, there is a pair of control fins 122A aligned with a pair of control grooves 124.

While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention may be industrially applied to the development, manufacture, and use of snowboards. 

1. A snowboard comprising: (a) an extended, generally planar deck having a nose, a tail, and a central section, the central section connecting the nose and the tail, the deck also having an overall length, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first rail edge, and a second rail edge, the first and second rail edges connecting the top surface and the bottom surface; the nose having a widest portion of the nose defining a nose chord line having a nose chord length; the tail having a widest portion of the tail defining a tail chord line having a tail chord length; the central section having a narrowest portion of the central section defining a central chord line having a central chord length; the nose being curved upward relative to the central section; the tail being curved upward relative to the central section; and (b) means for providing friction to the bottom surface of the deck for additional control; wherein the nose chord length is about twenty-two percent greater than the central chord length; wherein the nose chord length is about twenty-three percent of the overall length of the deck; wherein the tail chord length is about four percent greater than the central chord length; and wherein the distance between the tail chord line and the central chord line is about seventy percent of the distance between the nose chord line and the central chord line.
 2. The snowboard of claim 1, the means for providing friction comprising a removable control fin, the control fin being attached to the top surface and extending beneath the bottom surface adjacent either the first or second rail edge.
 3. The snowboard of claim 1, the means for providing friction comprising a control fin, the control fin extending from the either the first or second rail edge and comprising a protrusion along an outermost portion of the rail edge.
 4. The snowboard of claim 1, the means for providing friction comprising a control groove on the bottom surface of the deck.
 5. A snowboard comprising an extended, generally planar deck having a nose, a tail, and a central section, the central section connecting the nose and the tail, the deck also having an overall length measured from the nose to the tail, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first rail edge connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, and a second rail edge connecting the top surface and the bottom surface; the nose having a widest portion of the nose defining a nose chord line having a nose chord length; the tail having a widest portion of the tail defining a tail chord line having a tail chord length; the central section having a narrowest portion of the central section defining a central chord line having a central chord length; wherein the nose chord length is greater than the central chord length; wherein the nose chord length is between about fifteen and thirty-five percent of the overall length of the deck; wherein the tail chord length is between about one percent and ten percent greater than the central chord length; and wherein the distance between the tail chord line and the central chord line is between about forty percent to ninety percent of the distance between the nose chord line and the central chord line.
 6. The snowboard of claim 5 further comprising means for providing friction to the bottom surface of the deck for additional control.
 7. The snowboard of claim 6, the means for providing friction comprising a rail fin.
 8. The snowboard of claim 6, the means for providing friction being a pair of control fins, one extending from the first rail edge and one extending from the second rail edge.
 9. The snowboard of claim 6, the means for providing friction being a removable control fin, the removable control fin being attached to the top surface and protruding beyond the bottom surface.
 10. The snowboard of claim 6, the means for providing friction comprising a control groove on the bottom surface of the deck.
 11. The snowboard of claim 5, each of the nose and the tail being curved upward relative to the central section.
 12. The snowboard of claim 5, the nose chord length being between about fifteen and thirty-five percent greater than the central chord length.
 13. The snowboard of claim 5, the nose chord length being between about twenty and twenty-five percent greater than the central chord length.
 14. The snowboard of claim 5, the nose chord length being twenty-two percent greater than the central chord length.
 15. The snowboard of claim 5, the nose chord length being between about twenty and twenty-five percent of the overall length of the deck.
 16. The snowboard of claim 5, the nose chord length being twenty-three percent of the overall length of the deck.
 17. The snowboard of claim 5, the tail chord length being between about one percent and five percent greater than the central chord length.
 18. The snowboard of claim 5, the tail chord length being four percent greater than the central chord length.
 19. The snowboard of claim 5, the distance between the tail chord line and the central chord line being between about sixty to eighty percent of the distance between the nose chord line and the central chord line.
 20. The snowboard of claim 5, the distance between the tail chord line and the central chord line being seventy percent of the distance between the nose chord line and the central chord line. 